Mechanical movement and electric-light socket.



T. A. c. BOTH. r MECHANICAL MOVEMENT AND ELEUTBIO LIGHT SOUKET.

AFPLIOATIOF mum AUG. 2, 1911. V 1 Q14 4 4 3 vBatented Jam 9,1912

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

22 2 Z "W U 5A @U 36 I 39 26 "Him 24' mmsssss 34 k 6' [gm on W sr f T. A. 0. BOTH. MECHANICAL MOVEMENT AND ELEOTBIG LIGHT SOCKET.

- urmqnmx mum we. 2, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.'

' WITIIE88E8 W M A327 Patented Jan. 9,1912.

. T. A. 0.30m. 120111110111, movgmm AND ELEOTBIGILIGHT SOCKET. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 2, 1911.

1,014,443. PatentedJa n; 9,1912.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNE88E8 -I Mr R WQQ.

jfi By 19!- UNITED stra'rns PATENT onrrcn.

TONJES AUGUST cam. BOTH, or New YORK, N. Y., assrenon TO IDA s. BOSENHEIM,

on NEW YORK, N. Y.

MECHANICAL MOVEMENT AND ELECTRIC-MGR! SOCKET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9,1912.

To all whom itmay concern:

movement adapted for universal applica-' tion. I have shown it simply by way of example, as the operating mechanism in an electric light socket wherein it will make a quick make as well as a quick break between the electrical contacts of the socket, on the rotation, in either direction, of the driving member, the driven member continuing to rotate always in one direction regardless of the direction of rotation of the driving member. While I have shown a key socket by way of example, it is, of course, to be understood that my invention is not to be limited tosuch a socket.

My invention further relates to electric light sockets and broadly to a short or shallow socket wherebythe' amount of metal needed for the casing is reduced to the mini; mum, as well as a corresponding saving of metal being made in any husks with which the electric light socket may be used. Such a short or shallow electric light socket is therefore cheaper to manufacture and being much smaller 1s less obtrusive and more.

pleasing to the eye, either when used alone or as a part of a cluster or other more or less elaborate electric installation.

My invention further relates broadly to any switch mechanism in an electric light socket in which either the driven member or the driving member is mounted on the exte rior of the lamp holding member and substantially between the top and bottom oi said member, meaning by that term the ordinary screw shell terminal, or any other holding member of any configuration for holding any consuming device, whether a lamp or not being immaterial.

My" invention further relates broadly to switch mechanism in an electric light socket in which both the driving and driven members are mounted substantially between the top and bottom of the lamp holding memher and on the exterior of said lamp holding member.

My invention further relates broadly to an electric light socket in which the switch mechanism is located between the second lamp terminal and the lamp entrance to the lamp holding member which, for example. is here described as the first lamp terminal.

-My invention further relates broadly to an electric light socket having a lamp holding member and a surrounding casing or shell, With-a switch mechanism mounted between the lamp holding member and said surrounding casing or shell.

My invention further relates to certain details of construction both as to the me-. chanical movement and to the electric light socket which will be more fully hereinafter described in the specification and particularly pointed out'in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings showing illustrative embodiments'of my invention, and in which the same reference numerals refer to the similar parts in the several figures,-Figure 1 is a side elevation of the electric light socket, the casing and cap being shown in vertical section; Fig. Q-is a side elevation of the electric light socket, a portion of the mechanism being shown in section for the purpose of clearer illustra-' tion; Fig. 3 is a vertical section substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the driven member; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the driven member; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the housing, the driving member, the resilient member and the key; Fig. 7 is a vertical section through the electric light socket; Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the socket on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows;, Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectionsubstantially on the line 99 of Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the socket, a part being broken away for the purpose of clearer illustration; Fig. 11 is a side elevation partly in verticah section. of a modification; Fig.'12'is a horizontal section substantially on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11 lookingin the direction of the arrows; Fig. 13 is a vertical section substantially on the line-13-13 of-Fig. 12

lookingv in the direction of the arrows; Fig. i

shown by way of example as a screw shell;

example I have shown this holder in the diase and the nuts 18, 18.

Fig. 15 1s a detail sectional view on an en largcd scale of a portion of the mechanism; Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the center contact; and Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the side contac In the illustrative embodiments of my in vention shown in the drawings, 1 is an insulating base formed of any suitable material but preferably of' porcelain. This base is formed as shallow'as possible and is preferably provided with one or more recesses 2, 2 and carries the contact plate 3 to which 15 secured in any suitable manner a center contact 4, a binding screw 5 (Fig. 9) and the arm 6 with which cooperates the screw 7 holdingit in itsproper position on the insulating base 1. The lower surface of the insulating base is provided with a plurality of inclined surfaces or fixed non-conducting ratchets 8 terminating abruptly in the shoulders 9. Located adjacent'to one of the inclined or fixed ratchet surfaces 8 I mount the side contact plate 10, Figs. 3, 9 and 17 having an car 11 for the reception of the binding screw 12, an arm 13 for the reception of the locking screw 14:, Fig. 9, and the inclined conducting ratchet surface 15. To this shallow insulating base member 1, I secure in any suitable manner a holder for a consuming device. By way of form of a screw shell 16, Figs. 7 and 14, but it isto be distinctly understood that it maybe given any suitable shape or configuration to hold any form of consuming device, though the consuming device would ordinarily be a lamp or similar device, or a plug connected to any form ofconsuming device. This holder for a consuming device will be hereinafter referred to as a lamp holder, though it is to be understood that this term is used throughout the specification and claims without limiting the form of consuming device or the shape or configuration of the holder, which simply for purposes of illustration is shown as a screw shell 16. The holder, whatever its form may be, is secured in any suitable manner to the insulating base 1. In one form of my invention this lamp holder is secured to the insulating base by means of the screws. 17, 17 passing through the insulating base 1 and cooperating with the nuts 18, 18, Fig. 8, a portion 19-, 19 or a member secured to'the lamp holder being held between the insulating One portion of my invention consists broadly in any switch mechanism for turning on and off the electric current having the driven member mounted between the mouth 20 and substantially the top 19 of the lamp belder whether such lamp holder be a screw shell 16 or not being immaterial. By

such an arrangement I avoid mounting the switch mechanism between the top of the lamp holder, or the center contact, 4, and the insulating base 1, and am thereby enabled to materially reduce the length notonly of the electric light socket, but also of the shell 21 and the cap 22, thereby forming a very shallow electric light socket, and one which is very pleasing to the eye, besides forming a very cheap socket. due to the fact that less metal has to be used in the shell and cap 21 and 22, respectively, as well as less metal in any husk which maybe used to surround the socket. My invention also includes placing both the driven as well as the driving member between the top and. bottom of the holder, as well as all parts of the switch mechanism. Various such switch mechanisms may be used, all of which would come within the terms of my invention. I have shown by way of example the lamp holding member 16 being provided with fixed conducting ratchets 23, 23 which when the lamp holder 16 is secured to the insulat ing base 1 alternate with the fixed insulating ratchets 8, S on the insulating base 1 as more clearly shown for examplein Fig. 9.

Mounted on the exterior of the lamp holder 16 and between its mouth and the top of the lamp holder I mount the driven member 24 of my mechanical movement, This driven member may be given various forms. I preferably form it as a ring shaped member provided with a plurality of spring contact members 25, 25, four being shown in the drawing Fig. 4, each contact member being inclined to cooperate with the conducting ratchcts 23, 23 formed upon or carried by the lampholder 16, and the conducting side ratchet contact 15 and with the non-conducting ratehets 8, S on the insulat ing base 1. To permit the spring contact member 25 to have freer movement on the different conducting or non conducting ratchets above referred to, I may in some cases, though not necessarily, form a series of angular slots 26' in the driven member, Fig. 5. This driven member 24 is always rotated in one direction regardless-of the direction of rotation of the driving member which I have shown by way of example as a pawl 27. One meansfor accomplishing this result and which I have shown simply to illustrate one embodiment of my invention is to place ratchet teeth 28 on the upper portion of the driven member and similar ratchet teeth 29 on the lower portion of the driven member 24, the inclined surfaces of both ratchet teeth extend in the same direction.

The driving member 27 is provided with a plurality of arms 30, 30 to engage with therespective ratchet teeth 28 and 29 upon the driven member 24. Anv suitable means are provided for rotating this driving member 27, the construction of the driving and driven members being such that the rotation of the driving member 27, in either direc tion of rotation, will always drive the driven member 24 in one direction 'soas to insure the spring contact members 25, 25 mounted upon it making either a: quick make or a quick break'o'f the electric'current upon the rotation, in either direction, of the driving member 27. I i

One means for driving'the driving meinher. which I have -.;tound eliieacious in use is' to provide it with an angular bearing 31 whichcoiiperates with the angular surface 32 upon thekey 33. The bearing 31 is larger than necessary to snugly fitthe anular surface '32. By so mounting the driving member upon the key 33 I permit a teetering motionbetween the driving mem-- ber 27 and the key 33 as more clearly appears on anenlarged scale in Fig. 15.

To insure the driven member 24 retaining its proper position upon the exterior of the housing 34 preferably provided with an angular portion 37 for the reception of the driving member 27 and the resilient member 38. I also vpreferably, though not necessarily provide this angular portion of the" housing with a hollow bushing-39 through whic'h passes the key 33 which is preferably provided with an annular groove 40. The

key 33 is inserted through .theopening'41 in the bushing 39 and is held fromaccidental displacement or withdrawal by means of the spring arms 42, 42 of the resilient member 38 snapping into the annular.

groove 40. The other spring arms 43, 43 of the resilient member 38 are cut away at 44 and do not interfere with the free rotation, in either direction, of the key 33; they, however, yieldingly press the driving member 27 against the ratchet-teeth 28 and 29 on the driven member 24, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 15.

From the mechanism so far described it will be clear that rotation of the driving member 27, preferably by means of the key 33, will causesome one of its. arms 30, 30 to engage with the ratchet teeth 29, 29 ,while escapin "the other teeth 28, 28, and

that the rotation of the driving member 27 v in the opposite direction,-w ill cause the arms 30 to disengage with the ratchet teeth 29 and engage theteeth'28, but in doing so the driven member 24, upon which the ratchet,

teeth are mounted, will always move in thesame direction to makeeither a quick make or a quick break of the/current in the socket.

'Instead of securing thelamp holder 16 to the'insulating base by means of the screws 17, 17 I may, in some cases, 'form a lamp holder 45, Figs. 11, 12 and 13, with cutout portions 46' to coiiperate with lugs 47 upon the split insulating base 48 .formed preferably of two sections .49, 49 secured together by means ofthe screws 50, 50 Fig. 12.

'It is obvious that when the two sections 49,

49 of the insulating base 48 are brought into position so that the lugs 47 take into the recesses 46 that the lamp holder 45, as well as the sections'of the insulating base, will be all held together by the screws 50, 50. I

provide th1s form 'of insulating base 48 with insulating H ratchets '51, "51 which lie between the conducting ratches 52, 52 which are carried by the lamp holding members t5 preferably, but not necessarily,- by being formed as a part of it. Between two of the non-conducting ratchets 51, 51 I mount the. conducting ratchet 53 carried by the binding plate 54 which is held to one of the sections 49 ofthe insulating base by the screw, 55. Between one of the non-conducting ratchets 51 and one of the conducting ratchets 52 carried by the shell I mount the binding plate 56, carrying a center contact 57 and. binding screw 58, the binding plate being secured to one of'the insulating base sections in any suitable manner, such as by the screw 59, Fig. 12.

The casing 2 1 is preferably lined with insulation 6-1. The holder for the consum ing device is preferably surrounded by insnlation 60 which acts as an insulation between the holding member, as for example,

the screw shell 16, and the switch mechanism' when the current is turned elf, and also acts as an insulation between the screw shell 16 and the shell or casing 21, Fig. 1.

Having thus described this inventlon in connection with several illustrative embodi ments thereof to the details of which I do not desire to be limited, .What is claimed as new and what itis desired -to secure by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. In a mechanical movement, the combination of a rotary driven member provided with difl erent se'ts of ratchet teeth and a driving member adapted. to coiiperate with the different sets of ratchet teeth to drivethe driven member in the same direction regardless of the direction of rotation of the riving member. v 2. In a mechanical movement, the'combination of a rotary mg-shaped driven member provided with different sets of ratchets nation of a rotary driven member,

normally on its periphery and a drivin member adapted to cot perate with the di erentset s' of ratchet teeth to drive the driven member in the. same direction rection of rotation of the driving member. 3. In a mechanical. movement, the combi-- nation of a rotary driven member, a rotary driving member, means adapted to rotate the driven member always in the same direction regardless tion of the driving member, a member for actuating the driving member, and a teetering connection between the ac uating member and the driving member. Y

4. In a mechanical. movement, the combia rotary driving member, means adapted to rotate the driven member always in the same direction regardless of the direction of rota tion of the driving member, a member for actuating the driving member, and a resilient member adapted to normally move the driving member toward the driven member.

5. .In a mechanical movement, the combination of a rotary driven member and a r0- tary driving member each having cotiperating engaging surfaces adapted to rotate the driven member always in one direction regardless of the direction of rotation of the driving member, and a resilient member adapted to normally move the driving member toward the driven member.

6. In a mechanical movement, the combination of a rotary driven member provided with different sets of ratchet teeth, a driving member adapted to cooperate with the different sets of ratchet teeth to drive the driven member in the same direction regardless of the direction of rotation of the driving member, and a resilient member adapted to normally movethe driving member-t0- ward the ratchet teeth of the driven member.

7. In a mechanical movement, the combination of a rotary ring shaped driven member provided with ditierent sets of ratchet teeth on its periphery, and a driving mem ber adapt d to cooperate with -the difierent' sets of ratchet teeth to drive the driven member in the same direction regardless of the direction of rotation of the driving member, and a resilient member adapted to move the driving member toward the ratchet teeth of the ring shaped driven member. v

8. In an electric light socket, including a holder for a consuming device, the combination of a rotatable driven contact member mounted substantially between the top. and bottom of the holder, a'driving member for driving the driven contact member,

the direction regardless of rotation of the driving and means insuring the rotation of driven member in one of the direction member.

regardless of the di-- of the direction of rotav gaging I surfaces,

' stantially between tact member provlded with two sets of ensaid rotatable contact driven member being mounted between the top andbottom of the holder, and a driving member adaptedto engage with the engaging surfaces of the driven member.

11. In an electric light socket, the combination of a lamp holder, a rotatable ring shaped contact member provided with twosets ot ratchet teeth, said rotatable ring shaped contact member being mounted subthe top and bottom of the holder, and a driving member adapted to engage with the ratchet teeth.

12. 'In an electric light socket, the combination of a lampjholder, a rotatablering shaped contact member provided with twosets of ratchet teeth,.-said rotatable ringshaped contact member being'mounted substantially between the top and bottom of the holder, a driving member adapted to engage with the ratchet teeth, and a resilient member to normally press the driving member Into-engagement with the ratchet teeth.

13. In electric light sockets, the combination'of a lamp holder, a rotatable contact member mounted substantiallybetween e top and bottom of the holder and provided with two sets of ratchet teeth, a driving member adapted to engage with the ratchet, teeth, a key and cooperating surfaces between thedriving member and key to permit 21 teetering motion between the two.

14. In electric light sockets, the combine tion of, a lamp holder, a rotatable contact member mounted between the top and bottom of the holder and provided with two sets of ratchet teeth,. adriving member adapted to engage with the ratchet teeth, a key provided with a locking groove, cooperating surfaces between the driving member and key permitting a teetering moticn between the two, and-a resilient member provided with two spring arms, one spring arm to engage with the locking groove of the key to prevent "its accidental removal, and the other spring arm to yieldingly press the driving member into engagement with the ratchet teeth of the driven member.

1 5. In" an electric light socket, the combi nation of an insulating base, fixed insulating ratchet surfaces carried by the insu1atmg base, a, holder for; a consuming'device,

surfaces, means to supply current to the rotating conducting driven member, and a driving member.

16. In an electric light socket, the combination of an insulating base, fixedinsulat-i ing ratchet surfaces carried by the insulat ing base, a holder for a consuming device, conducting fixed ratchet surfaces connected with the holder, a rotating conducting driven member adapted to cooperate with said fixed conducting and insulating ratchet surfaces, said driven member being mounted substantially between the top and bottom of the holder, and a driving member.

17. In an electric light socket, the combination of an insulating base, fixed insulating ratchet surfaces carried by the insulating base, a holder for a consuming device, conducting fixed ratchet surfaces connected with the holder, a rotating conducting 5,,driven member adapted to coiiperate with ""said fixed conducting and insulating ratchet surfaces, means to supply' current to the rotating conducting driven member, a drivingmember, and means insuring the rotation of the driven memberin one direction regardless of the direction of rotation of the driving member.

18. In an electric light socket, the combination of an insulating base, fixed insulatmg ratchet surfaces carried bythe insulating base, a holder for a consuming device, conducting fixed ratchet surfaces connected with the holder, I a rotating conducting driven member'adapted to cooperate with 40-said fixed conducting and insulating ratchet surfaces, means to supply'current to the rotating conducting driven member, a driving member, both the driving and driven members being mounted substantially between the top and bottom of. the holder.

19. In an electric light socket, the combi nation of an insulating base formed ,of a

plurality of parts, lugs carried by the lba se, a holder provided with cut out portions to receive thelugs of the base, and means to sccurethe sec'tionsof the base together and at thesame time to secure the holder to the base;

205' In an electric light socket, .the combination of a holder-for a consuming device rotatable switch mechanism.

21. In an electric light socket, the-combination of a lamp holder and? switch mechanism mounted substantiallybetween the top and bottom of the lamp holder and includ- -6 ing a rotary contact member mounted on the exterior of the lampholder, means to operate it, and a housing to surround and cooperate with the rotary contact member.

22. In an electric light socket, the combination of an insulating base, insulating ratchet surfaces carried by the base, a lamp holder provided with conducting ratchet surfaces, a contact plate provided with a fixed ratchet conducting surface, a ring shaped rotarydriving conducting member mounted. substantially between the top and bottom of the lamp holder and adapted to cooperate with the conducting and non-conducting ratchets, a driving member adapted to actuate the driven member, and a housing. i

23. In an electric light socket, thecombination of an insulating base provided with recesses, insulating ratchet surfaces carried by the base, a lamp, holder provided with conducting ratchet surfaces, a contact plate provided with a fixed ratchet conducting surface, --a ring shaped rotary driven conducting member mounted substantially between the top and bottom of the lamp holder and adapted to cooperate with thefconducting and non-conducting ratchets, a

driving member adapted to actuate the driven}, member, and a housing provided with fingers to cooperate with the recesses in the insulating base. s

24. Infan electric light socket, the combination-of a holder, an insulating collar surrounding the holder,- a' switch mechanism,

a shell or casing surrounding the socket,

said insulating collar serving to insulate the switch mechanism and also insulate'the holder from the shell or casing.-

25 An article of manufacture for an electric light "socket comprisin 26. .An article of manufacture for an tegral conducting ratchets. 27. An article of -manufacture for an electric light socket comprising a screw shell provided with conducting ratchets.

28. An article of manufacture for anelectriclight socket comprising a screw shell provided with integral conducting ratchets. v i

29. An article of manufacture for an electric light socket comprising a screw shell provided with integral conducting ratchets .extending beyond. the outer ,periphery of the screw shell.

30. In an electric light socket the combination of a conducting holder for a con suming device, a second terminal, an outer casing or shell, and'a switch mechanism including a rotatable ring shaped driven member located between the conducting holder and the outer casing or shell.

a holderfor, a consuming deviceprovide with-conducting ratchets.

31. lln an electric light socket the combii IJlSIH including a rotatable ring shaped nation of it screw shell, a second terminal, driven member located between the conductan outer casing or shell and a switch mechaing holder and the outer casing or shell and nism including a rotatable ring shaped between the second terminal and the lamp driven member located between the conentrance to the screw shell.

ducting holder and the outer casing or TONJES AUGUST CARL BOTH.

shell.

32. In an electric light socket, the conibi- Witnesses: nation of a screw shell a second terminal, LESTER H. APPEL,

LEON STRAUSS.

an outer casing or shell, and a switch mecha- @oplee of this patent may he obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner oi Patents. Washington, D. C. 

